Week of 1/14/13

Fandemonium 2013Jim Leyland, Detroit Tigers manager and Perrysburg native, will be joined by a slate of Tigers players and coaches at Fifth Third Field Wednesday, Jan. 23 for Fandemonium 2013.

The event, which will run from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., will include self-guided tours through the locker room, clubhouse and batting cages; a question-and-answer session with coaches and players in The Roost, raffles and more.

In addition to Leyland, coaching staff members scheduled to be on hand include Jeff Jones, Gene Lamont, Lloyd McClendon and Mike Rojas. Players slated to attend include Casey Crosby, Darin Downs, Bryan Holaday and Danny Worth.

Tickets are $10 and are available by calling 419-725-HENS (4367) or online at www.mudhens.com. Tickets are also available for the Mud Hens’ Opening Day, which is April 11.

Senior transport serviceOttawa County Senior Resources, in conjunction with the Ottawa County Transportation Agency, will again be offering free trips for seniors 60 years of age and older.

Eligible seniors must obtain a registration form from either Senior Resources or their local senior center. Completed forms may be returned to Senior Resources, local senior center or OCTA.

Free trips are limited to Ottawa County travel only. The transportation service is made available through a grant from the Ohio Department of Aging and the Older Americans Act. Once the grant funding is exhausted, free trips will no longer be available.

For more information, call 419-898-6459 or 1-877-898-6459.

Mayor to speakToledo Mayor Mike Bell will deliver the 2013 State of the City address Jan. 28 at the regular meeting of the Downtown Toledo Rotary Club in the ballroom of the Park Inn, 101 N. Summit St.

The Rotary meeting will begin at noon. The mayor’s speech is expected to begin no later than 12:20 p.m. and will last approximately 30 minutes.

Coaching job openGenoa High School is seeking applicants for the position of Head Varsity Volleyball Coach.

Applicants should send a letter of interest, along with a resume and references to Athletic Director Mike Thomas at Genoa High School, 2980 N. Genoa Clay-Center Rd., Genoa, OH, 43430 or email mikethomas@genoaschools.com by Feb. 1.

Teaching positions may or may not be available.

Grant requests soughtThe Ottawa County Community Foundation is accepting requests from nonprofit organizations for grant funding.

The foundation awards grants to programs in the areas of education, social services, physical and mental health, safe and positive living environments, natural resources and the arts.

Guidelines for grant applications are available online at www.OttawaCCF.org. Applications must be postmarked by March 15 in order to be considered.

Additional information is available by calling Joy Roth at 419-261-0797 or Jon James at 419-707-9691.

The sheriff’s office reports receiving a 911 call regarding the snowmobile crash. Upon arrival, deputies found the snowmobile, which sustained heavy front-end damage, along with an injured male, identified as Earl H. Weidner II, of Fremont Pike, Perrysburg, Weidner was flown via Life Flight to the University of Toledo Medical Center.

Alcohol is believed to be a contributing factor in the crash, the sheriff’s office reported.

Volunteer Action FairArea residents are invited to explore the many opportunities available for giving back to their communities at a Community Volunteer Action Fair being held Jan. 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Owens Community College.

Coordinated by the Office of Service Learning and Civic Engagement, the event will take place in the Student Health and Activities Center. Admission is free and open to the community.

Community outreach representatives will be on hand to discuss volunteer opportunities available through their organizations.

Board approves requestWSOS Board of Directors on Tuesday gave its approval for the agency to subcontract with the Community Action Partnership (CAP) and submit a request for $435,000 to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs to be used for supportive services for veteran families.

The funding will assist 150 very low-income veteran households in Wood, Sandusky, Ottawa, Seneca, Erie, Huron, and Lorain counties for one year with housing and other supportive services.

In other business, the board:• Approved the board’s slate of officers, which remain the same as 2012 – Mel Browning, chairperson; Paul Harrison, vice chair; and Chris Galvin, secretary/treasurer. Jennifer Buxton of Port Clinton, Crystal Walker and Kathy Burkin, both of Fremont, and Dean King of Custar complete the board’s executive committee.

• Approved the renewal of five grants and contracts currently being operated by the organization.

• Seated new and re-appointed board members. They include Cindy Dart of Bowling Green, Sue Parker of Port Clinton, Tamara Turner of Fostoria, and Georgia Reed of Tiffin, who are all new to the board; Browning, Harrison, Matt Damschroder, Kathy Burkin, Dean King, Richard Focht, Jim Fails, Al Fosnaugh, Galvin, Robert Valle, Jennifer Buxton and Paul Harrison, were all re-appointed.

• Approved the agency’s strategic plan as recommended by the Planning and Evaluation committee.

For more information about WSOS and its services, call 1-800-775-9767. The board of directors meets the second Tuesday of each month. Meetings are open to the public.

Event successfulWith the first ever “Winter Wonderland” now in the books, organizers are almost certain the holiday attraction will return as an annual event - bigger and better next year.

A cumulative effort between the Sandusky County Junior Fair board and the Sandusky County Agricultural Society, the eight-day attraction exceeded expectations with 3,773 people entering through the gates, and nearly 2,500 pounds of non-perishable food items collected and donated to the Sandusky County Food Pantry.

Junior Fair Coordinator Danyelle Lantz said the group took in more than $3,500 over the eight nights. Organizers are planning to use some of the profits to establish a scholarship program to benefit county Junior Fair members. The committee will set up guidelines and plans for the scholarship in the near future, Lantz said.

Lantz, who spearheaded the event from its inception, said she was thrilled with the number of people that attended.

She added that organizers are already discussing plans and improvements for a 2013 Winter Wonderland.

“We’d like to get even more sponsors and businesses involved next year,” said Lantz. Senior Fair Board President Harold Overmyer said, “It was something most anyone from the area could afford.” Organizers also invited area nursing homes and skilled care facilities to bring out residents and tour through the attractions, free of charge.

The Sandusky County Horse Council brought horses to the event and offered rides for a donation, with proceeds going toward a planned shelter house near the horse trails at White Star Park.